Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Grocery Shopping

Online purchasing has become a new and innovative way for people to buy products; more people are staying indoors and instead ordering the items they need online. In the last couple of years the food and grocery industry has leapt onto the web with experts claiming it has “changed beyond recognition” with more people choosing to order their groceries online than to head to their local supermarkets.

It can be difficult deciding where to shop when buying products online; this can become even harder when buying groceries. With the ever increasing list of competitors on the market each one is looking for a better reason for you to shop with them; from next-minute deliveries, farm-fresh quality produce to meals already prepared and ready to eat. It can be confusing and daunting for someone who has never shopped online to decide which one of these companies should deserve your money.

But why are we shopping online in the first place?

Before looking into the various companies trying to sell us their services we should look at the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online and the things we should look out for when choosing what website to purchase groceries from.

Advantages

Delivery to Your Front Door

The main reason for shopping online! Sometimes it isn’t easy to get to the nearest supermarket or being constantly on the go makes it difficult to find time to buy groceries; delivery services will drop off your order to your front door step at a time of your convenience. Similarly many companies also offer a “click and collect” scheme in which you can order online and collect your order from the shop when it’s ready for you.

No Unwanted Luxury Purchases

It’s far too easy to do; you’re walking around the shop grabbing all the items you need and suddenly a chocolate cake, packet of biscuits, and some sausage rolls have somehow found their way into your trolley. You didn’t want them before but now you’ve seen them you need them! Shopping online can help you tame the impulse buying within you.

Find Everything You Need

Search engines on websites make it much easier to find items quickly; typing in the name or brand of a product will show you all relevant products making it much easier to find exactly what you need.

Busy Shops Can Be Overwhelming

Other customers can sometimes make shopping feel like an obstacle course. Shopping online saves all the hassle of navigating a busy supermarket and waiting in line to pay; once you have found everything you need you’re ready to pay.

Price Checking and Shopping Online Can be Cheaper

Websites such as Money Supermarket compared prices of items against all the big major supermarkets helping customers to find the best place to shop; deals and other promotions are also shown so you never miss you on a bargain!

Disadvantages

Sometimes You Can’t Get What You Want

Companies will notify you if the product you want is out of stock but stock may also run out after you have ordered, whilst this can be annoying most companies will try and substitute your desired items for something of similar price and quality.

You Can’t Personally Look at Items

Are you picky about the softness of your loaf? Shopping online won’t allow you to check the quality of your products however companies will always try to deliver products to a high standard.

Delivery Charges Can Be Expensive

Orders delivered home can be expensive; most supermarkets reduce their delivery charge once orders go over a certain price, this encourages customers to order a bigger shop online to avoid the higher delivery costs and ensure you get the most out of your money. Websites that offer a same-day delivery scheme may also charge more for the service so it’s better to plan ahead.

Did You Remember Everything?

You’ve made your order and suddenly you remember you forgot to add the eggs! Most supermarkets will deal with your order on the next working day or one the day specified when ordered allowing you to change your order the night before.

Online shopping is growing in popularity more and more each day, knowing the advantages and disadvantages can help you turn a chore into a simple task and let you get on with the better things in life.